Information AboutCheesesteak |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT CHEESESTEAK | |
| american sandwiches | |
| philadelphia cuisine | |
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The cheesesteak, known outside the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area as the '''Philadelphia cheese steak''', '''Philly cheese steak''', or "steak and cheese" is a Sandwich which usually consists of:
A cheesesteak may include other optional ingredients such as grilled onions, sautéed Green Peppers , and Mushroom s. Some menus include hot sauce, Ketchup , or pizza sauce (a Pizza Steak, often with Mozzarella as the cheese). A popular variation is the chicken cheesesteak, which uses thinly sliced chicken, also sautéed on a griddle. The invention of the cheesesteak is claimed by Philadelphian Pat Olivieri who combined chopped-up steak and put it in a bun. He began selling the new concoctions at his hot dog stand. They became so popular he opened up his own cheesesteak restaurant in 1930 . In assessing the quality of a cheesesteak, some Philadelphian connoisseurs put stress on how the meat is chopped, others on the quality of the meat, still others on the importance of a good roll. In the Philadelphia area, cheesesteaks are often made with hoagie rolls from the Philadelphia-based Amoroso Baking Company , commonly known as Amoroso Rolls. Locals believe there is something about the '' Schuylkill Punch'', slang for Philadelphia's drinking water, which, due to its Alkaline content, makes the rolls distinctively flakey and airy. Cheesesteaks elsewhere In other parts of North America, many sandwich shops offer their own versions of the cheesesteak, and some are even dedicated to serving only cheesesteaks. Regionally, the name may vary— in parts of New England , for example, the sandwich is called a "steak and cheese." The Philadelphia cheesesteak is arguably the ultimate Comfort Food for the natives of the Philadelphia region, or at the very least the food they miss the most when living elsewhere (though this distinction might also belong to Scrapple or Tastykakes ). CHEESE Controversy abounds, much of it fueled by outside observers, as to the proper cheese for a cheesesteak. American cheese, provolone, and Cheez Whiz are nearly universally available, and any pizza joint that serves them will agree to substitute mozzarella. Some establishments offer Swiss and cheddar. Cheez Whiz Cheez Whiz, first marketed in 1952 , was not yet available for the original 1930 version, but it has come to achieve some popularity. A common order is "Whiz wit", a cheesesteak with Cheese Whiz, served with fried onions. It is not called "Whiz with", as the guttural South Philadelphia Italian-immigrant pronunciation actually appears on menus—ordering otherwise brands one as an outsider or tourist. Some sidewalk establishments insist that you be prepared to state your order, and have your money in hand, or go to the end of the line. {Link without Title} Lines can extend into the streets on certain nights, especially after a sports event. In fact, a 1986 New York Times article called Cheez Whiz "the '' Sine Qua Non '' of connoisseurs." However, in a 1985 interview, Frank Olivieri said that he uses "the processed cheese spread familiar to millions of parents who prize speed and ease in fixing the children's lunch for the same reason, because it is fast." He went on to say that "American cheese takes longer to melt" and made clear his preference for Cheez Whiz over other unnamed fast-melting cheese spreads. Provolone Provolone of the mild, un-aged variety is also almost universally offered. However, a Los Angeles reporter claimed that "provolone is ''the'' cheesesteak cheese, preferably an extra-sharp provolone with a distinctly savage bite. A cheesesteak is supposed to hurt, and it takes more than those fried dry Japanese chiles that Pat’s offers as a condiment.... In Philadelphia, I’ve heard, Cheez Whiz is often considered a tourist affectation, the kind of thing ordered by a person more concerned with what people might think of him than with what he might be putting into his mouth." Others Other varieties of cheese may be offered—a 1986 New York Times article mentioned a Philadelphia establishment that serves "mesquite-grilled cheese steak with Jarlsberg cheese"—but traditionalists scorn such newfangled modes of preparation. A few establishments have begun offering the new low-fat cheeses as health-conscious alternatives. A steak sandwich topped with pizza sauce and sliced or crumbled mozzarella constitutes a ''pizza steak'', which is often placed briefly in a pizza oven or under a broiler to melt and lightly brown the cheese. Some people use plain cheddar as well, though these sandwiches are sometimes called "Cheesy Beef" sandwiches rather than cheesesteaks. Cheesy politics The controversy over the "appropriate" cheesesteak cheese arose in American politics when 2004 presidential candidate John Kerry , on a Campaign visit to South Philadelphia, ordered a cheesesteak with Swiss Cheese . According to the '' Philadelphia Daily News '', "reporters snickered," because "in Philadelphia, ordering Swiss on a cheesesteak is like rooting for Dallas at an Eagles game. It isn't just politically incorrect; it could get you a poke in the nose." In 2005, Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney turned up his nose at a cheesesteak wagered by Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell in the traditional pre- Super Bowl bet between leaders of the states represented in the game. Rendell later told reporters, "He said the cheesesteak had no nutritional value." {Link without Title} FAMOUS PHILADELPHIA CHEESESTEAK EATERIES Pat's Steaks, Geno's Steaks, and Jim's Steaks are frequently cited as the best places to get a cheesesteak. The rivalry between Geno's and Pat's, which are located across from each other on 9th Street in South Philadelphia , is particularly intense. Many Philadelphians are loyal to neighborhood steak shops, which are myriad, based on the quality of the ingredients and the attention given to the preparation. Street vendors also prepare and sell cheesesteaks from trucks and carts in and around the city, especially on the larger college campuses. Both Pat's and Geno's are open 24 hours a day. The establishments can frequently be seen packed with long lines of hungry people, even during the late hours of the night. Pat's King of Steaks Pat's Steaks, as it is known familiarly, was founded in 1930 by Pat Olivieri, who claims to be the originator of the cheesesteak. Originally a Hot Dog vendor, Olivieri told the story that he decided one day for his own lunch to use chopped-up steak bits instead of the usual wiener. At the suggestion of a cabbie who sampled the new sandwich, he began selling them and opened Pat's Steaks, located at the South Philadelphia intersection of 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue. The Olivieri family still owns the establishment, which operates 24 hours a day. Numerous celebrities, including N'Sync singer Chris Kirkpatrick , Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell , talk show host Larry King , and Senator John McCain , have dined at Pat's. In addition, scenes from the 1976 movie Rocky were filmed on location here. {Link without Title} According to the folklore of the Milano family (8th & Federal Streets, circa 1910-1940), one Salvatore Milano, paternal grandfather of Kensington historian Ken Milano, was to have gone into business with Olivieri. At the last moment, Milano pulled out of the deal and started his own shop nearby, near to 6th & Catherine. Needless to say, Pat's is the "King of Steaks" and Milano is now unknown. Like other establishments, Pat's Steaks provides a choice of Provolone, American cheese, or Cheez Whiz . Cheez Whiz was first introduced in 1952, 22 years after Pat's opened. Geno's Steaks Geno's Steaks was founded in 1966 by Joe Vento. It is located at the intersection of 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue, directly across the street from Pat's Steaks. Vento makes the disputed claim of having originated the cheesesteak by adding cheese to the mix. The sidewalk, roof, and tables around Geno's are decorated with hundreds of autographed and framed photos and memorabilia of celebrities who have patronized the venue. Since Geno's is open 24 hours a day, the eating area on the adjacent sidewalk never needs to be locked up, and is open to the air. According to Vento, the name ''Geno's'' was chosen because there already existed a ''Joe's Steak Place'', and he improvised the name from a broken door on which someone had painted ''GINO'' and modified the spelling to prevent confusion with yet another business called ''Gino's''. Vento later named his own son Geno, who now works in the family business. In April 2004, a branch of the shop opened in Citizens Bank Park , the newest home of the Philadelphia Phillies . Vento is a prominent supporter of the family of murdered police officer Daniel Faulkner . The family supports the death sentence of Mumia Abu-Jamal , who was convicted of Faulkner's murder, and is against Abu-Jamal being retried or exonerated. Geno's has sponsored several fund-raising events in support of Faulkner's family, including the 2000 First Annual Justice For Daniel Faulkner Block Party and an annual Daniel Faulkner Memorial Motorcycle Run . Jim's Steaks Jim's Steaks was founded in 1939 . Originally started in West Philadelphia , Jim's expanded to the eclectic South Street in the 1970s , with another branch in Springfield, Pennsylvania in nearby Delaware County , and a fourth shop in Northeast Philadelphia in Roosevelt Mall . Steve's Prince of Steaks Steve's Prince of Steaks, obviously a take on its competitor Pat's, is lesser known in Philadelphia, but still a favorite in many neighborhoods in the city's Northeast section. First opened near the outdoor Roosevelt Mall (at St. Vincent and Bustleton Ave), the company soon opened a second shop at Comly Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard. The shop has won the "Best of Philly" Award for "Best Cheesesteak Shop" several times, and is patronized by many Northeast Philadelphians. {Link without Title} Steve's Prince of Steaks can now be found located within the Wachovia Sports Complex home of the Flyers and Sixers. Tony Luke's Perhaps better known for their roast Pork sandwiches, Tony Luke's steaks still pack a mean (and greasy) punch. The original store is located near the intersection of Front Street and Oregon Avenue in South Philly . Other locations include Center City Philadelphia, Citizens Bank Park (home of the Philadelphia Phillies ), New York City ( Manhattan ), and most recently, the University City section of Philadelphia . SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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